MFA in WCYA

Rita Williams-Garcia / Faculty

Rita Williams-Garcia, the author of eight award-winning novels including the 2009 National Book Award Finalist Jumped, Like Sisters on the Homefront and Every Time a Rainbow Dies, continues to break new ground in young people's literature.

Her 2010 title, One Crazy Summer, was named a National Book Award Finalist, the Newbery Honor, The Coretta Scott King Honor, the Scott O’Dell Prize for Historic Fiction, among other awards and lists. Known for their realistic portrayal of teens of color, Williams-Garcia's works have been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee, PEN/Norma Klein Award, American Library Association, and Parents' Choice, among others. She recently served on the National Book Award Committee for Young People's Literature, and she sponsors a short story contest for young writers.